Journal box



H. T. CASEY Dec. 25,r 1934.

JOURNAL BOX Filed Oct. 26, 1928 gnou/dor, Howard T asy Patented Dec. 25, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE :1,585,442

l JoU'RNAL Box Hward-T. Casey, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Symington Company, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of Maryland Abiliia'iioa octpberz's, 1928, serial No. amissV 22 Claims.

relates.. journal boxes and Figure 1 isafront elevation of a journal box lid assembly embodying myv invention, a portion of more particularly toearticulated. or twopiece lids normally closing lthe lputer ,openings therein.

.,The principal object lof my invention, generally 5 considered,is to provide a,two piece self-adjusting lid `iorclosingthe journal fboxopening, said lid preferably involving aA hood or spring housingand alid properbetweenmvhich a torsion spring is positioned, said spring having a pair of coils normally seatedonthehood, an intermediate loop normallyvzengag-ing `the .hinge lug ,and depending ends of thespring .engaging ,the means connecting saidlidlproperiandhousingl.. Y 1 .Y

-v- Another object ofmyv invention .is to provide a twopiece flid. inwhich the. actuating spring is positioned between-the Ahood andplid proper` with thecoils. ofthe spring seated ,on the hood and ,the free ends thereoflrestingon the connecting means betweenthe hood and lid, .which in 'turn engages 20 theiid adjacent the center thereof, thereby mai-ntaining spring tension vbetween, the elements of the .lid .and preventing rattling even when open.

A .further object of my. invention is to provide a .journal box lidhaving ahood pivoted thereto torsionspring, said. spring having coilsseated on the, hood land .extending into depressions in the ated box :for Vholding lthe lid in open or closed position, the free ends or tails of the springbeing supported directly on the means pivoting the hood and lid so that -the pressure thereof does not-tend to cause-relative rotation between said parts. l

A still further object of my invention is to provide ac two piece journalbox lid comprising v a preferably pressed closure member and malleable spring housing, said closure member being formed with .loops xextending .outwardly zireun the front facelthereoLapin extending through said loops and corresponding apertures .inthe housing and a spring received between said housing and lid proper withthe lower ends received in correspending apertures in the pin, thereby serving to lock said pin in place and theloopsY being formed with lateral projections overlying the ends of said spring for limiting relative movement between said lid proper andhousing. a n

vOther `objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and .construction of .the various ,parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.Al

Referringto ,the drawing illustrating my4 inf vention, the scope whereof is dened by the appended claims.

adjacent its center forV inclosing` an .associated- L the hood or s away to more Eigure 2 is pring housing thereof being broken clearly show the construction. arsectional view of the lidj assembly and afragmentary portion of the associated journal box on the line 2-2 of Figure l, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure l, looking in the direction of the arrows.

portion of a ,journal box 1 is shown with an ordinary -iform of hinge lug 2 extending from the upper wall orlroof thereof to which the journal box llid assembly 3 is pivotally connected as by means of a hinge pin or pintle 4. In the present embodiment,

thecomplete `iournal box lid 3,

comprisesA-aclosvure member, plate, or lid proper 5 and hood, carrier, or spring housing member 6, sa,id parts being movably or pin connected adjacent the horizontal .center line of the lid as bymeans of; a lconnecting pin, pintle, or

' equalizer 7.

ment extends 'Ifhegpin 7 in the present embodithroughoutstanding brackets, loops or ears 8 on, or secured to, the lid proper or plate v5 and through corresponding apertures 9 inthe housing or hood portion 6, into which hood portion thev brackets preferably extend, suiicient clearance being provided to permit the desired self-adjusting movement of the lid. If the closure member -or lid proper 5 is formed of pressed metal, .the-loops 8 may desirably be formed separately with the inner ends 10 passed through corresponding apertures in the lid and welded theretoasindicated at 11.- v

The lidn assembly Ais pivoted to the vbox by the pivot pin 4 extending through perforated ears or hinge-Portions l2, on the hood 6 rather than through corresponding portions on the lid proper.f The .hinge pingfl may be headed and for properly;

receiving the separated prongs on the pin, whereby-When locked in place, turning of. said pin prevented In order to with respect to the housing is 'provide for resiliently holding the lid in open or closed position, a torsion spring 13 is normally positioned between the hood or housing 6 and lid proper 5. The spring 13 preferably has a pair of coils or helical portions 14 normally resting on curved seat portions l on the housing or hood 6, and an intermediate loop or upwardly extending portion 16 desirably formed with a wear plate 17 or anti-friction roller (not shown) forengagement with the hinge lug 2 in the normal manner. The free ends or da pending tails 18 engage in corresponding apertures 19 in the connecting pin 7, said apertures being preferably adjacent the side walls ofthe housing 6, so that when assembled, the pin is held in position by the ends 'of the springengaging it adjacent its ends where they are received in the apertures 9 in the housing 6. In

order to limit relative movement between 'the' lid 5 and the housing 6, when the lidis .opfern the loops 8 are preferably formed with lateral extensions 20 overlying the endsf18of the' spring 13 and adapted to engage said spring when a slight 'relative movement has been eiectedibetween the lid proper 5 and the housing 6. To avoid positioning the hood 6 at too great a distance from the lid 5, that portionfof the lid adjacent the coils 14 is preferably inwardly depressed or pocketed asfindieated at 2l to receive the adjacent portions of said coils. In order to i equalize the pressure on the lid, so that it will engage the edge of the box opening around the iull periphery thereof, the lid proper 5 is preferably formed with an outstanding lug or embossment 22 normally engaged-by the connecting pin 7, which construction also results in a transmission of spring pressure between the housing and lid proper, thereby preventing rattling even when the lid is open. For rigidifying the construction, the lid may be corrugated as indicated at 23 and formed as usual with a peripheral iiange or lip 24.

From the foregoing disclosure, it will Ybe seen that I have provided the two piece Vresiliently pressed self-adjusting lid for a journal box, which lid involves a closure portion and a hood or spring housing portion between which a torsion spring is normally disposed.- On account of having the tails of the spring received in the connecting pin, said pin is locked in place without auxiliary means, and rattling is prevented by engagement of the pin with the central boss on the lid, which in turn causes a uniform application of pressure to the lid, while permitting a sufficient universal self-adjusting movement thereof relative to the carrier member or housing. Relative movement between the lid and housing, when the lid is open, is limited by the special construction of the hinging loops on the lid proper.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, a lid assembly pivotally carried thereby and comprising a hood and a lid proper movably connected adjacent the center of the latter, and a torsion spring with intermediate coiled portions engaging the hood and end portions respectiveably connecting said hood and lid adjacent the centerl of the latter, and a torsion spring; disposed between said hood and lid, engaging the lug and connecting means, respectively, at its upper and lower ends and formed with coils engaging the hood intermediate said ends.

3. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, a two piece lid pivotally carried thereby and comprisirm a hood pivoted to the lug adjacent its upper .edge and tothe lidproper adjacent its lower end, resilient means disposedzbetween said hood and lid proper and engaging said lug for holding the lid in open or closed position,

and means on the lid proper normally overlying the adjacent portions of the resilient means for limiting relative movement between said hood and lid.

4. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, a lid assembly pivotally carried thereby, and comprising a hood and a lid proper movably connected adjacent the center of the latter, and a torsion spring disposed between said hood and lid proper and comprising a spring-'wire formed into a pair of coils seated on the hood, a loop'r. portion extending upwardly therebetween and normally engaging the hinge ',lug, the ends of said wire extending downwardly from the coils and engaging the means connecting the hood and lid proper, whereby the pressure of the spring does not cause relative rotation between the lid and hood.

' 5. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, a lid assembly pivotally carried thereby and comprising a hood and a lid proper, means movably connecting said hood and lid proper adjacent the center of the latter, and a torsion springdisposed 'between said hood and lid and provided:

with coil portions seated on the hood, an'intermediate loop portion engaging the lug andthe free ends or tails of the spring engaging the means connecting the hood and lid proper.

6. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, a lid assembly pivotally carried thereby and comprising a lid proper, a spring housing, a pin extending through the lower portion of said housing and clips embracing said pin and connected to said lid proper to hold said pin in proper position, a torsion spring with a plurality of coils seated on the housing and received in a depression on the lid proper, a loop portion of the spring between the coils normally engaging the lug, and the lower ends of said spring received in apertures in the pin connecting said lid and housing.

'1. A journal box lid assembly comprising a hood and a lid proper, loops extending outwardly from the front face of the lid proper and a pin extending through said loops and registering apertures in the hood for connecting the parts, resilient lmeans held between said hood and lid formed with an upward extension adapted to engage an associated hinge lug and lower extensions engaging the pin connecting said hood andY lid proper.

8. A journal box lid assembly comprising a lid proper and a spring housing, a plurality of loops extending outwardly from thefface of the lid proper, a pin extending through said loops and corresponding apertures in said housing for pivi otally connecting the parts, and a torsion spring disposed between said hood and lid proper and comprising a pair of coils seated on the hood, a loop portion extending upwardly therebetween and adapted to engage an associated hinge lug, the lower endsvof-said spring extending downwardly from-the coils and engagingtheA pin,the loops extending from said lid proper beingformedl Sui with-,lateral extensions adapted to engagethe ends '.of said spring land Vlimitrelative movement between said'lid'proper andA housing.

9.' In a lidstructurefor the opening of a journal-box, the combination of a carrier member which is pivotally connected to said journal-box, a plate member forv closing said opening, means for connecting said plate member to said carrier member, which means comprise a bracket which is secured to said plate member and extends into said carrier member wherein a pin projects through said bracket for pivotally securing the plate member to the carrier member, whereby a suiiicient universal, self-adjusting movement of the plate member relatively to said carrier member is alforded, together with means for limiting such movement.

10. A journal box lid assembly comprising a hood and a lid proper, a member movably mounted on the front face of said lid proper, the lower .end of said hood being formed with receptacles receiving the ends of said member, and resilient means engaging the hood intermediate the ends and the member at the lower end thereof.

11. A journal box lid assembly comprising a lid proper and a spring housing, a connecting member pivotally mounted on the front face of said lid, the lower end of said spring housing being formed with receptacles receiving the ends of said member, and a torsion spring disposed between said hood and lid proper and comprising a pair of coils seated on the hood, a loop portion extending upwardly therebetween and adapted to engage an associated hinge lug, the lower ends of said spring extending downwardly from the coils and received in receptacles in said connecting member.

12. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, an articulated lid pivotally carried thereby and comprising a hood and a lid, an equalizer and a lid, an equalizer movable with respect to said hood, providing for free universal angling between said hood and lid, pivotally mounted on the face of said lid and having its ends interlocked with the lower end of said hood to hold the parts in assembled relation, and resilient means disposed between said hood and lid, engaging the lug and equalizer respectively at its upper and lower ends, and the hood intermediate said ends.

13. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, a lid assembly mounted thereon and comprising a lid proper, a spring housing and an equalizer, and means pivotally mounting said equalizer on the front face of said lid proper, the lower end of said housing and equalizer being inter-locked, and a torsion spring with a plurality of coils seated in the housing, a loop portion of the spring between the coils normally engaging the lug and the lower ends of said spring received in apertures in said equalizer.

14. A two-piece journal box lid comprising a hood adapted to be connected to an associated journal box, a closure member and an equalizing member connecting said closure member, and hood, means pivotally mounting said equalizing member on the front face of said closure member, and resilient means disposed between said closure member and hood, engaging said hood with its lower ends received in receptacles in said equalizing member and adapted to engage portions of an associated box for holding the lid in open or closed position.

15. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, anv articulated lid pivotally carried thereby. and comprising a hood and a lid proper, and connecting and resilient means disposed between said hood and lid proper for uniting the same adjacent the center of the lid proper and holding the lid open or closed, said means comprising a torsion spring `comprising laterally spaced elements extending from the lug at its upper end to join with the connecting means on opposite sides of the lid center, and formed with coils engaging the hood intermediate its ends.

16. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, a lid assembly pivotally carried thereby and comprising a hood and a lid proper, and connecting and resilient means comprising means connecting the hood and lid proper, and a torsion spring consisting of a wire bent to form a pair of coils seated on the hood and disposed between it and said lid proper, and a loop portion extending upwardly therebetween and normally acting on the hinge lug, the ends of said wire extending downwardly irom the coils to join with the means connecting the hood and lid proper.

17. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, a lid assembly pivotally carried thereby and comprising a hood and a lid proper, and resilient and connecting means disposed between said members for holding the lid assembly in open or closed position and connecting the parts thereof, said means comprising a torsion spring provided with coil portions seated on the hood, an

intermediate loop portion acting on the lug, and free end portions meeting the means connecting the hood and lid proper.

18. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, a lid comprising a spring housing pivotally carried by said lug and a lid proper, said lid proper being formed with outstanding loops, normally covered by said housing, and a hinge pin extending through said loops and registering apertures in the spring housing for pivotally connecting said lid proper and housing, and resilient means engaging said lug and pin.

19. A journal box lid assembly comprising a hood and a lid proper, a pin with its axis disposed generally parallel to the plane of said lid and connecting said hood and lid proper adjacent the center of said lid, and a spring with an intermediate portion at all times engaging the hood and with lower end portions engaging the pin on opposite sides of the connection between the pin and lid.

20. A two piece journal box lid comprising a hood adapted to be connected to an associated journal box, a closure member, a pin connecting said closure member and hood and lying therebetween, and resilient means disposed between said closure member and hood, with an intermediate portion at all times engaging said hood and an end portion engaging said pin, so that the pressure of said means on said pin does not tend to cause rotation between the hood and closure member, and adapted to engage angularly disposed portions on an associated box for holding said lid in open or closed position.

21. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, a lid assembly carried thereby and comprising a hood and a lid proper, a pivot member connecting said hood and lid proper, and an actuating spring housed between said hood and lid proper and exerting pressure on said pivot member, said lid proper being connected to said pivot member by outstanding lid loops, through which said member loosely passes, for angling about the axis of said pivot member and about an axis disposed at an angle to said member.

22. In'combination, a journal box having a hinge lug and a lid assembly pivotally carried thereby and comprising a retainer and a lid proper connected adjacent the center of the latter 5 for free universal movement by means including a pivot member extending substantially parallel to said lid proper, and resilient means comprising laterally spaced elements engaging-'th pivot member on opposite sides of its connection to the lid proper, said retainer intermediate its ends, and the hinge lug at its upper end for holding the lid in open or closed position. I

HOWARD 'r'. CASEY. 

